The best places to stay in Cornwall
The Nare
The Nare
Perched above Carne Beach on Cornwall’s Roseland Peninsula, The Nare is the sort of luxury hotel many places try to imitate but very few manage to become. Family-owned for generations, this country house hotel by the sea has built a loyal following through traditional hospitality, polished service by long-serving staff and a warm and friendly atmosphere which feels entirely removed from modern hotel trends.
The setting is exceptional. Sweeping sea views stretch across one of Cornwall’s loveliest beaches, while direct access to the sand makes it particularly appealing for families and long coastal walks with four-legged friends. Inside, fires burn in the drawing rooms, fresh flowers sit on tables and newspapers and magazines are laid out beside deeply comfortable armchairs and sofas. Interiors remain reassuringly traditional with antiques, patterned wallpapers and fabrics with none of the contemporary styling currently dominating many coastal hotels.
The 40 bedrooms and suites continue the classic country-house feel with generous bathrooms, Penhaligon’s toiletries, bathrobes, fresh flowers, and many sea-facing terraces. Thoughtful details are everywhere, from automatic bathroom lighting underfloor heating, heated towel rails and plenty of flannels.
Dining remains central to the experience. Evenings begin with drinks and canapés before dinner in the bar followed by a candlelit evening in the Dining Room where Cornish seafood, Dover sole and seasonal produce feature on the daily-changing menu; dessert and cheese trolleys are one of the highlights!
Facilities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a tennis court, sauna, steam room and hot tub, while owner Toby Ashworth’s boat trips aboard Alice Rose offer leisurely trips along the Cornish coast. Great for multi-generational holidays.
The Nare Drawing Room
Chapel House
The six rooms and duplex suite are bright, spacious, and beautiful, with modern design touches and large bathrooms, some with both a bath and a shower. Sustainability runs through everything here. Bamboo loo paper, sulphate-free organic bath products made locally, wooden beds and efficient underfloor heating. Each room is different - some have free-standing baths alongside showers, others have showers big enough for two. Room 2 is the best room in the house with stunning views across the rooftops towards the Atlantic Ocean. It also has its own wood burner, perfect for cosy evenings. The duplex suite has its own parking space, which is a real bonus, and the first floor has two balconies, a wood burner and a kitchen, ideal for longer stays. The views from here stretch across the harbour and it’s easy to find yourself sitting for an hour or two gazing out of the window or through the binoculars (thoughtfully provided).
As well as being the owner, Sue is the in-house concierge and knows pretty much everything about the local area. Where to eat, where to drink, where to shop, where to walk. She has a map for every area of the UK, so whether you want a gentle stroll along the promenade or something more ambitious, she has it covered. Her team of girls, Kate, Catie, Alice and Lucia, are lovely, and nothing is too much trouble. Fancy a cup of tea and cake? No problem. Want the sauna or hot tub at four in the afternoon? Give James an hour's notice and he will arrive with a DryRobe in time. Feeling in need of some proper restoration? Book a treatment with Rachel and allow yourself a couple of hours to press pause. You’ll want to curl up by the fire with a cup of tea and a blanket afterwards and that’s entirely the point about The Chapel House, it’s literally a retreat from our frenetic lives. The spa garden is open to non-residents - you can come and enjoy the hot tub and sauna, a juice and even book in for a spot of brunch for just £45.
"I create a space for you to relax and let go, then gently guide and nurture you back to balance. My aim is to leave you feeling rejuvenated, lighter emotionally and ready to face the week ahead."
- Rachel Lorente, Women’s Balance
Breakfast is served from eight until ten with freshly made green and berry juices, bacon sandwiches, croissant, avocado on toast, fresh fruit salad, yoghurt, granola, sourdough and a selection of Sue's own handmade jams. The bacon and sausages are from the local butcher and the bread is from the local bakery. Although I’m not a vegan, the vegan breakfast is delicious with sautéed spinach, homemade rosti, scrambled tofu and perfectly cooked mushrooms and tomatoes. A word of advice: don’t book anywhere for lunch. You won’t have room!
Rates per room from £205 including breakfast.
Carbis Bay Hotel
Carbis Bay Beach Cottage
Few hotels in Cornwall can rival the setting of Carbis Bay Hotel. Looking out over pale sand and almost impossibly turquoise water on a bright summer’s day, the bay can feel more Mediterranean or even Caribbean than British.
The hotel itself is sprawling with a mix of accommodation styles ranging from contemporary beach lodges to more traditional bedrooms and suites. Nearby they also have some glamping pods. Some areas feel fresher and more modern than others, though most people are drawn here by the location rather than interiors alone.
The C Bay Spa is a strong addition, particularly the outdoor sauna pod overlooking the sea, and the beach restaurant remains one of Cornwall’s better spots for a long lunch by the water. During school holidays, service occasionally struggles to keep pace with demand, though the atmosphere remains relaxed and genuinely family-friendly throughout.
If your ideal Cornish escape involves sea swims before breakfast, a walk to St Ives, spa treatments in the afternoon and sunset drinks overlooking the bay, Carbis Bay is the perfect choice.
Carbis Bay Beach House
Artist Residence Penzance
Artist Residence Penzance has charm by the bucketload and thankfully never feels as though it is trying too hard. It’s been around for 10 years already and was one of the first boutique hotels to open in Penzance. It’s also family and dog-friendly. Set inside a Georgian townhouse on Chapel Street, one of the best streets in town, it mixes vintage furniture, bold artwork and playful touches (bathroom doors are vintage and sliding) in a way many boutique hotels attempt but rarely pull off.
Every room feels individual. Some have sea views, others roll-top baths or exposed stone walls, and the overall feeling is much more like staying in a stylish friend’s home than a traditional hotel. There’s a cottage that sleeps six across three bedrooms, perfect for friends and family. It’s worth noting that the rooms at the top of the building can become extremely warm in the summer months.
The bar, restaurant and terrace (which has its own bar ‘The Shack’ with regular DJ evenings) gives the hotel much of its energy with locals and visitors drifting in for brunch, cocktails and dinner. There is a looseness to the atmosphere that works particularly well in Cornwall. Staff are welcoming and easy-going rather than overly polished, which suits the hotel and the location perfectly.
Penzance itself is often overlooked by people racing towards overcrowded St Ives, though staying here makes you question why. You are within easy reach of west Cornwall’s beaches, galleries and coastal walks while avoiding some of the crowds. It is creative, relaxed and a lot more fun than many boutique hotels trying much harder to impress.
https://www.artistresidence.co.uk/book-now-cornwall
The Alverton
Floral Suite, The Alverton
Set inside a former convent on the edge of Truro, The Alverton has a sense of history; gothic arches, cloisters and original stonework give the building real character and there is a reassuring solidity to the place.
Inside, the style leans more traditional country house than contemporary boutique, though several bedrooms have been sympathetically refreshed in recent years. The newer courtyard rooms and suites are the ones to book, they’re large, some with both bath and shower, so it is worth choosing carefully when booking.
The gardens are lovely in warmer weather and the terrace works well for pre-dinner drinks on sunny evenings. Food is enjoyable rather than destination dining, though Afternoon Tea remains popular with locals.
One of the hotel’s greatest strengths is its location. It’s a great venue for a wedding and you can walk easily into Truro while still feeling slightly removed from the town itself. Staff are friendly and approachable and the atmosphere remains relaxed throughout. The Alverton may not be Cornwall’s trendiest address, but it has warmth, character and an ease that many people will appreciate.
Budock Vean Hotel
Helford River
Sitting beside the Helford River, this family-owned hotel feels refreshingly free from gimmicks and overthinking.
First impressions are slightly old-school, with long corridors, well-trodden carpets, and a layout that takes a little getting used to, though the bedrooms are spacious, comfortable, and often come with lovely garden views. Bathrooms are particularly good with many featuring both freestanding baths and separate showers, which works brilliantly after a day on the coast.
Families and dog owners are very well looked after here, there’s even a collection of dog sticks to choose from. Staff are entirely unfazed by muddy paws, early suppers or requests for hot chocolate after long walks. The adult-only GAIA Spa is a real asset with its indoor pool, outdoor hot tub, steam room and sauna, while golf and tennis add another layer of activities.
There are beautiful walks directly from the hotel and the Helford estuary remains one of Cornwall’s quieter and prettier corners. Budock Vean is less about glossy luxury and more about comfort, good hospitality and staying somewhere that is stress-free with kids and dogs in tow.